China Thinking October issue

China Thinking e-Bulletin

October 2013 issue

China Thinking welcomes you to a new academic year at the University of Oxford! This promises to be a year full of exciting Oxford China connections, starting with the inaugural Oxford China Lecture in Shanghai. The speaker Prof. Steve Rayner gives a sneak preview of his lecture on ‘The Future City’. Celebrations are taking place ahead of nougth week at Oxford, and the two current Rhodes Scholars for Hong Kong takes us behind the scenes of the landmark 110th anniversary of the Rhodes Scholarships. Rhodes Scholar Jade Lai then takes us on her journey from Oxford to her current role as a prominent social and cultural advocate in Hong Kong. Of course, don’t miss the other exciting news and Oxford events happening near you this autumn! Looking further forward, please save the date of 21 – 23 March 2014 – Oxford is bringing the Alumni Weekend to you! The full programme for Meeting Minds: Oxford in Asia (Hong Kong) will be announced later in the autumn.

The University will be hosting the first ever Oxford China Lecture in Shanghai on 10 December. Based on the Oxford London Lecture, the University’s most high profile annual public event, the event in China will feature Professor Steve Rayner, James Martin Professor of Science and Civilization and Co-Director of the Oxford Martin Programme for Future Cities. With an introduction by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Andrew Hamilton, the lecture will provide a platform for Prof. Rayner to share his cutting edge ideas on ‘The Future City: Climate Change, Technology and the New Urbanization’ with Oxford alumni in China as well as senior government officials, business and academic leaders in China. Read more

A new book by the Director of the Oxford China Centre re-examining one of the most important struggles of the Second World War has received international critical acclaim. China’s War with Japan 1937-1945: The Struggle for Survival by Rana Mitter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China, has been described as a ‘monumental new work which magisterially surveys the conflict, the broader repercussions of which still resonate across East Asia.’ (SCMP). Read more

Steven A Balbus, Professor of Astronomy at Oxford is the co-recipient of the US$ 1 million Shaw Prize in Astronomy for his and his partner’s work in the discovery and study of magnetorotational instability. Established under the auspices of Run Run Shaw, Hong Kong’s celebrated industrialist and philanthropist, the Shaw Prize honours individuals who have achieved significant breakthrough in academic and scientific research and whose work has had a positive and profound impact on mankind. Read more

Founded by the business leader and philanthropist Cecil Rhodes in 1903, the Rhodes Scholarships enable the most talented all-round students from around the world to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford, including one Rhodes Scholar a year from Hong Kong. Last week saw over 900 Scholars and family members gather in Oxford for the 110th anniversary celebrations of the Rhodes Scholarship. The current Rhodes Scholars for Hong Kong, Cherry Xu (St John’s, Bachelor of Civil Law) and Olivia Cheung (St Antony’s, MPhil in Politics) arrived in Oxford ahead of noughth week to join in the celebrations and shared their experiences.MORE

ALUMNI encounters

JADE LAI (ORIEL, 2000), VICE-CHAIRMAN OF RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION

The Rhodes Scholar takes us on her journey from Oxford to being a prominent social and cultural advocate in Hong Kong.

What are your most cherished memories of Oxford?

Life at Oxford was full of poetry. As I look back, it was the little things that I missed the most: whether it was punting with friends on the Cherwell in the summer, reading Chaucer at the Radcliffe Camera, experiencing a last-minute anxiety attack (for not having done enough) just before the one-on-one tutorial, pub-crawling with friends and dons until the small hours, or listening to music while walking through the Christ Church Meadow. MORE

Keble College Oxford hosts this lecture on 'A brief excursus on good faith in English contract law' by law fellow Professor Edwin Peel. Open to all Oxford alumni lawyers in Hong Kong, this will also be an opportunity for Keble graduates to meet with Warden Jonathan Philips. BOOK

Experienced admissions officers from the University of Oxford will present comprehensive information about Oxford, including the many benefits of graduate study, how to identify the right course and apply, an introduction to the many scholarships on offer, and more. Oxford alumni will also be on hand to answer questions about studying at Oxford and life in the UK. BOOK

Dr. Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, English Fellow at Magdalen College Oxford and author of the provocative biography Becoming Dickens, winner of the 2011 Duff Cooper Prize, will give a talk exploring the life of one of England’s greatest novelists. Hosted by the Hong Kong Literary Festival, this is a rare opportunity to meet the acclaimed author and judge of the 2013 Man Booker Prize. This event is expected to be sold out so book your tickets early. BOOK

Magdalen member Oscar Chow (1993) and Dr Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, English Fellow and judge for the Man Booker Prize 2013, are hosting a drinks reception in Hong Kong which is open to all Magdalen members. MORE

The highest profile Oxford event in China to date, the inaugural Oxford China Lecture will feature Prof. Steve Rayner speaking on ‘The Future City: Climatization, Technology and the New Urbanisation’. MORE

Save the date for the first ever Oxford Asia Reunion for Oxford alumni and friends! With a weekend of inspiring speaker sessions, fun receptions and glamorous gala dinners, don't miss this oportunity to celebrate all that is wonderful about Oxford. Full programme to be announced later in the autumn.

6- 9 pm (lecture folowed by reception)
Venue tbc, Puxi, Shanghai

Various exclusivelocations across Hong Kong

UNDERCOVER ACADEMIC

The FUTURE CITY

Professor Steve Rayner, James Martin Professor of Science and Civilization and Co-Director of the Oxford Martin Programme for Future Cities give us a sneak preview of the inaugural Oxford China Lecture in Shanghai.

We're in the middle of the biggest migration in human history - the migration of people from the countryside into the towns. This is a very good thing for people, and a very good thing for the environment. MORE

OXFORD THINKING CAMPAIGN FEATURES

lee shau kee scholars seminar room

Alumni-led fundraising has always been an instrumental part of the Oxford Thinking Campaign. A scholarship programme for Hong Kong students at Wadham College by Dr Lee Shau Kee has inspired a new generation of giving. A fundraising campaign for a new seminar room named after the benefactor has inspired nearly half of the alumni of the Lee Shau Kee Scholarship programme to become involved. MORE

The University of Oxford China Office is a branch office of the University Of Oxford. It works together with volunteer organizations across Greater China and the rest of Asia to foster connections between the collegiate university and the alumni living in the region.

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